Girdles



NOV. 18, 1958 M CLARK 2,85Qfi40 GIRDLES Fild Feb. 16, 1955 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. MARGARET CLARA ATTORNEY 2, Sheets-Sheet 2 v? g7 19 B INVENTOR CLARK III-I ATTORNEY M. CLARK Nov. 18, 1958 GIRDLE$Filed Feb. 16, 1955 MARGARET United States Patent GIRDLES MargaretClark, New York, N. Y., assignor to Flexnit Company, Inc., a corporationof New Jersey Application February 16, 1955, Serial No. 488,517

' 3 Claims. (Cl. 128-540) This invention relates to improvements ingirdles and the like for women, and has for a principal object theprovision of a girdle having novel elements in combination, which effecta degree of control of the abdomen not heretofore obtained.

Another object of the provision of a girdle or the like having at leastone panel comprised of a relatively nonstretchable fabric of apre-determined shape having lateral borders and having a series ofangularly disposed comparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs freelyspanning the surface of said panel and having their extremitie's securedto said borders, and a second series of comparatively narrow stretchablefabric webs extending angular with respect to and interwoven with saidfirst webs, each of the webs in said second series also being freeexcept that its extremities are secured to said lateral borders, saidpanel being adapted to be positioned coextensive with the abdomen of thewearer.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a girdle having atleast two lateral stretchable panels having narrow interwovenstretchable webs spanning the surface thereof and a relativelynon-stretchable panel therebetween influenced by both said first panelsthereby performing the double function of controlling the abdomen andconforming to the contours of the hips.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a girdle havingfront and back panels which are joined together by a series of angularlydisposed comparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs and having asecond series of comparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs extendingangularly with respect to and interwoven with said first webs, the websof said interwoven structure having their extremities secured to saidfirst and said second panels respectively on one side; and a secondinterwoven structure on the other side having its extremities secured tosaid front and back panels, so that the interwoven structures are oneach side and span portions of the hips of the wearer, thereby providinggreater ventilation and comfort to the wearer in addition to the otheradvantages described herein.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart upon a study of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings which are given by way of example toillustrate the invention:

Figure 1 is a front view of a figure wearing one embodiment of theinvention;

Figure 2 is a front view of the garment of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a rear view of the garment shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional fragmentary view taken along the line44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a front elevation showing a modified form of the front panelshown in Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken along the line 6-6 ofFigure 5;

Figure 7 is a three-quarter view of a further modification of theinvention shown on a figure;

2 Figure 8 is a front elevation of the garment shown in Figure 7;

.Figure 9 is a back view of the garment shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line1010 of Figure 8; and

Figure 11 is a view of a further modification of the invention whereinthe garment is comprised of front and back panels joined by my novelinterwoven structure on each side hereof.

Referring first to Figures 1, 2 and 3 my new and improved girdle 10 iscomprised of right and left side panels 11 and 12, respectively. Theseside panels are stretchable in both the horizontal and the verticalsense, and they each may be made of one piece of material or of morethan one piece, for example, the panel 12 may be formed of two panelelements 12a and 12b stitched together along a seam 14, and the edges ofthe seam are pressed flat. The: same may be the case with the side panel13, wherein it. may be formed of two panel elements 13a and 13bstitched! together along a seam 15 and the edges of the seam are alsopressed flat.

The garment has a front panel 16 of a shape generally resembling aninverted keystone and it is stitched to the side panel 13 with a specialseam generally designated in Figure 4 by the numeral 17 and consistingof an inner strip 18 of cotton tape which has its edges 18a and 18bturned inwardly so that two thicknesses of said tape are included ineach row of stitching 19 and 20. The fabric of the front panel 16 andthe extremities of a series of angularly disposed comparatively narrowstretchable fabric webs 21, 22, 23 together with an extremity 16a; arestitched together with a special inside seam 21a for extra strength tohold the side panel 13 in place. Following this, the tape 18, the sidepanel 13 and the doubled extremities of the fabric 16 and thestretchable fabric webs are stitched together by means of the seam 19already referred to above, then the other edge of the tape 1815, thefabric 16 and the stretchable webs are stitched together by means of therow of stitching 20, above referred to. This construction, with aminimum of material and effort, produces a strong and long-lasting seamwhich insures long life to the garment.

The side panel 12 is secured to the panel 16 by means of a seam 24comprising rows of stitching 25, 26 (the special inside seam not shownis identical with that shown at 21 in Figure 4). The seam 24 and thespecial inside seam (not shown) are identical with those shown anddescribed in connection with Figure 4 with the exception that the seam24 includes a series of comparatively narrow stretchable fabric Webs 32,33 and 34 which are angularly disposed relative to the webs 21, 22 and23 and which are interspersed with the webs 21, 22 and 23. Theextremities of the webs 32, 33 and 34 on one end thereof are included inthe seam 24 together with the lower extremities of the webs 21, 22 and23, and the lower extremities of the webs 32, 33 and 34 are stitchedinto the seam 17 in a manner like that shown for the webs 21, 22 and 23.In this way both series of angularly disposed comparatively narrowstretchable fabric webs freely span the surface of the panel 16 andtherefore have a greater degree of control and eliminates the use ofinner belts which are known in many other garments. The interspersedcriss-cross pattern of the webs 21, 22', 23, 32, 33 and 34 flexibly andyet comfort-ably provide double support to the abdomen.

A back panel 27 has one edge thereof secured to the side panel 12 bymeans of a row 28 of fagoting and it has its opposite edge secured tothe edge of the side panel 13 by means of a row of fagoting 29. A stripof facing 30 is stitched to the inner surface of the upper end of thethen tubular structure, and a similar facing strip 31 is secured to theinner surface adjacent to the bottom edge of the garment all the wayaround. Both the strips 30 and 31 are stretchable lengthwise where theyare stitched to stretchable material, namely, the extremities of theside panels 12 and 13 at the top and at the bottom; Where the facingstrips 36) and 31 are secured to the panels 17 and 27 at the top and atthe bottom, they are nonstretchable.

Secured to the bottom of the garment between the interfacing 31 and theside panels both in the front and the back at the bottom are a series ofhose supporters 35.

Referring now to Figures and 6, the garment shown is identical with thegarment just described above in connection with Figures 1 to 4,inclusive, with the exception that a panel of the two-way stretch net 36overlies the panel 16 therefore the same numerals are given to the sameparts in Figure 5 that correspond with the parts already described inconnection with Figures 1, 2 and 3.

The panel of the power net 36, as stated above, overlies the panel 16,and it is secured with the other elements comprising the seam 17 asillustrated in Figure 6 wherein it will be noted that the power net 36which is preferably a nylon mesh has one edge 36a turned inwardly andstitched together with the extreme edges of the fabric 16a and theextremities of the comparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs by meansof the stitching 21 forming the special inside seam previously describedfor extra strength to hold the side panel 13, the doubled extremities ofthe fabric 16, the stretchable fabric webs and the doubled power net 36aare stitched together by means of the seams 19 referred to above. Afterthat the other edge of the tape 18b, the fabric 16, the stretchable websand the net 36 are stitched together by means of the row of stitching20.

The side panel 12 is stitched together with the panel 16 in the samemanner as that just described in connection with the panel 13 and thisstitching includes the overlying nylon net 36. The upper and lowerextremities of the nylon net panel 36 are stitched together with theupper and lower extremities of the tubular body at the time the upperinterfacing 30 and the lower interfacing 31 are applied.

The use of the overlying power net 36 in combination with the interlacedor interspersed strips results in a firm support which not only holdsthe abdomen in but also in holding the abdomen up without the use ofstays or other rigid materials to do the job. This new and improvedgarment functions to support the abdomen without any constrictionwhatever and consequently it gives the greatest support and yet thegreatest degree of comfort.

Referring to Figures 7, 8 and 9, I show a further modification of theinvention wherein a relatively non-stretchable front panel 40 isemployed, and secured to the right edge of this panel in any suitablemanner for example by means of a row of fagoting 37 is a flexible panel38. Joining the panel 38 by means of a row 39 of feather. stitching is asecond flexible panel 41. A series of angularly disposed comparativelynarrow stretchable fabric webs 42, 43, 44 and a second series ofangularly disposed comparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs whichare both angularly disposed relative to the first series and interwoventherewith, such as strips 45, 46 and 47, have their common ends securedto the junction of the panels 38 and 41 by means of said row of featherstitching 39.

The panel 41 is joined to a back panel 48 by means of a row of fagoting49. Where the panel 41 joins the panel '48, a hem 50 is formed in thepanel 41, and stitched to the hem are the other extremities of the webs42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 so that the flexible strips are secured to borderof the panel by their extremities only and they freely overlie thesurface of the panel 41. Due to the fact that they are interwoven, theyconjointly exert ten- 4 manner, for example, by a row of fagoting 83 isa flexible panel 51 which is similar to the panel 38 and joining thepanel 51 by means of a row 52 of feather stitching is a flexible panel53 which is similar to the panel 41.

A series of angularly disposed comparatively narrow stretchable fabricwebs 54, 55 and 56 and a second series of angularly disposedcomparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs which are both angularlydisposed relative to the first series and interwoven therewith, saidstrips being designated as 57, 58 and 59, have their common ends orextremities secured to the junction of the panels 51 and 53 by means ofsaid row of fagoting 52. The panel 53 is joined to the back panel 48 bya row of fagoting 57. Where the panel 53 joins the panel 51 a hem 60 isformed in the panel 53 and stitched to the hem 60 are the otherextremities of the webs 54, 55, 56 and 57, 58, 59 so that the flexiblestrips are secured to the border of the panel by their extremities onlyand they freely overlie the surface of the panel 53 due to the fact thatthey are interwoven, they conjointly with the strips overlying the panel41, exert a firm and even tension on both the front panel 40 and theback panel 48 and thereby hold the abdomen in normal and properposition.

Referring now to Figure 10, the above described structure is illustratedin section wherein the front panel 40 has an extremity 46a doubled backon itself, and stitched to this is a lining 61 which also has an edge6011 turned under and stitched to the front panel 40 by a row ofstitches 62. The narrow elastic panel 51 has a hemmed edge 51a which issecured to the front panel 40 by the fa'got stitch 52 as describedabove. The other edge of this elastic panel 51 has a hem 51b. The panel53 has a hem 53a and joining this hem is the series of extremities ofthe elastic strips 54, 55, 56 and 57, 58, 59 and the hem 51b, 53a arejoined by the row of feather stitching 52.

A strip of facing 63 is stitched to the inner surface of the upper endof the then tubular structure, and a similar facing strip 64 is securedto the inner surface adjacent to the bottom edge of the garment all theway around. Both the strips 63 and 64 are stretchable lengthwise wherethey are stitched to stretchable material, namely, the extremities ofthe side panels 38, 41 and 53, 51 at the top and at the bottom. Wherethe facing strips 63 and 64 are secured to the panels 40 and 48 at thetop and at the bottom, they are non-stretchable.

Referring now to Figure 11, a further modification of the invention isshown wherein a front panel 65, which may be comprised of one piece orseveral pieces, secured together such as a member 66 with auxiliarypanels 67 and 68 stitched thereto along seams, such as the seams 69 and70, respectively. The garment has a back panel 71, and the front panelmay have a suitable bound edge 72 at the top and a similar bound edge 73at the bottom, the back panel 71 may also have the bottom and top edgesbound or bordered for example as shown at 74 on the bottom edge, the topedge does not show in Figure 11. The front panel has a right hand edge75 and a left hand edge 76 while the back panel has :a right hand edge77 and a left hand edge 78.

Joining the right edge 75 of the front panel and the right edge 77 ofthe rear panel is a structure 80 comprised of a series of angularlydisposed comparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs, and a secondseries of angularly disposed comparatively narrow stretchable fabricwebs which are both angularly disposed relative to the first series andinterwoven therewith. The extremities of all of these fabric webs 79 onthe front are secured to the edge 75 of the front panel array andlikewise the other extremities of the webs are secured to the edge 77 ofthe back panel 71.

Joining the left edges of the front and back panels is a like structure82 formed of a series of angularly disposed comparatively narrowstretchable fabric webs 81 and a second series of angularly disposedcomparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs 81 which are both angularlydisposed relative to the first series and interwoven therewith. Theextremities of said strips on the front side are permanently secured tothe edge '76 to the front panel array and the other extremities of thesewebs are commonly secured to the edge 78 of the back panel therebyproviding a garment of this class which not only molds the figure butwhich is also cool and ideal for summer wear, due to the fact that theinterwoven elastic strips are not secured to each other where they crossand therefore they freely span the portions of the hips which liebetween the front and the back panels.

Although I have herein shown and described by way of example severalembodiments of the invention I wish to emphasize that the only limits tothe form of the invention covered are the scope of the following claims.

Iclaim:

1. A generally tubular garment adapted to embrace the torso of and tosupport the abdomen of a wearer, said garment having in combinationright and left side panels, a back panel, and a front panel securedtogether, said front panel being shaped generally like an invertedkeystone, said last panel having lateral borders and having top andbottom edges coinciding with the top and bottom edges of the garment,and an array carried upon said last panel and comprising; .a firstseries of angularly disposed comparatively narrow flexible fabric webshaving their extremities secured solely to said lateral borders, and asecond series of comparatively narrow flexible fabric webs angularlydisposed relative to and interlaced with said first webs and also havingtheir extremities secured solely to said borders.

2. A generally tubular garment adapted to embrace a portion of the bodyof and to hold in the abdomen of a wearer, said garment having acombination, right and left side panels, a back panel and a front panel,said front panel being generally in the shape of an inverted keystoneand adapted to extend over said abdomen, said front panel having lateralborders joining the remainder of the garment, and an overlay freelyspanning said front panel and comprising two interlaced groups ofcomparatively narrow elastic webs each group extending angular withrespect to the other and angular with respect to the vertical axis ofsaid panel, said webs having their extremities secured to said panelalong said lateral borders and being free between said lateral borders,and flexible reinforcing means secured to the front panel and overlyingthe front panel and said overlay.

3. The invention according to claim 2 in which a net panel overlies bothsaid last mentioned panels, said overlay, and is secured to said lastmentioned panel about the edges thereof and providing a greater degreeof control over the abdomen of a user and a net panel overlying bothsaid last mentioned panel and said overlay, thereby providing a greaterdegree of control of said abdomen.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,945,093 Strait Jan. 30, 1934 2,745,103 Van Horne May 15, 19562,758,310 Lewis et al Aug. 14-, 1956

